It's official: Chicago's rotating club-night scene has hit max-capacity. With Motown on Mondays in full swing at the East Room after relocating from Chop Shop last month, there's now at least one (if not three or four) themed dance parties on any given night of the week. Here are seven to check out this week—and, if you're so inclined, the week after that and the week after that. May the groove be with you.
Motown on Mondays
Where: East Room, 2828 W. Medill
When: 9 p.m.
How much: Free
What You'll Hear: Motor-city soul classics and everybody they've inspired—from Rick James to Erykah Badu. DJs Trew & John Simmons will work the turntables tonight, but that changes from Monday to Monday; follow @EastRoomChicago for updates on who's spinning each week.
New Wave Tuesdays
Where: Slippery Slope, 2357 N. Milwaukee
When: 9 p.m.
How much: Free
What You'll Hear: A whole lot of reverb. Jeff Moyer deejays tomorrow and every third Tuesday at Slope, with Philly Peroxide, Kamar, and Eddie Riot filling out the rest of the month. Go heavy on the eyeliner.
Dweebsquad's Riotous Wednesdays
Where: Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago
When: 9 p.m.
How much: Free
What You'll Hear: Rock, disco, house, hip-hop, funk—basicaly anything faster than 150 beats per minute—by resident DJs Mr. West and Mingo Cerda. Call it a dabbler's dance party.
80s Night
Where: Neo, 2350 N. Clark
When: 10 p.m.
How much: Free before 11 p.m. with password, posted on Neo's Twitter account
What You'll Hear: Anything released between '80 and '89 is fair game, but Neo leans heavy; this legendary goth club has been blaring industrial music since, well, the genre was invented, and it boasts more history than most of these nascent club nights combined.
Rotating DJs (East of Edens Soul Express)
Where: The Owl, 2521 N. Milwaukee
When: 9 p.m.
How much: Free
What You'll Hear: Fridays at this 4–a.m. bar skew soulful; local archival record label Numero Group regularly runs the tables, and disco duo Hot Buttered Boogie hosts every fourth Friday. This weekend, it's longtime Chicago DJ-duo East of Edens Soul Express.
Windy City Soul Club
Where: Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western
When: 9 p.m.
How much: $5 cover
What You'll Hear: Rare and northern soul on original vinyl—for the sixth year in a row as of this month. Rotating DJs include Aret Sakalian, Ben Pirani, Elizabeth Christian, Jason Berry, Nick Soule, and Xavier Velez. (Ed. note: This event is monthly, not weekly; the December Windy City Soul Club takes place this Saturday, December 13).
Salsa Sunday
Where: Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison
When: 6 p.m. Dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Live music at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
How much: $10
What You'll Hear: Live salsa by Jose Serrano with DJ Frankie J spinning mambo in between. Cubby's usual fist-pumpers generally steer clear.